Anxiety/Panic with Pregnancy

Hi I'm new to this. I just found out I'm pregnant after 7 years of trying. Could possibly be multiples due to the fertility process. I've dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for about 17 years. Last Oct I had to stop my anxiety medication because I did get pregnant but ended up losing the baby. I thought I could deal with being off medications but I'm really struggling. I also deal with agoraphobia and it hinders me from driving certain distances. Have thought about going back on some sort of medication because I feel like the daily anxiety is just pulling me down. How is everyone else coping? Are you taking medication? I can't find doctors who will consult me on taking medication while pregnant. It's like they don't want to get involved but to me it's a a daily struggle to get thru my days.

Hi I'm new to this. I just found out I'm pregnant after 7 years of trying. Could possibly be multiples due to the fertility process. I've dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for about 17 years. Last Oct I had to stop my anxiety medication because I did get pregnant but ended up losing the baby. I thought I could deal with being off medications but I'm really struggling. I also deal with agoraphobia and it hinders me from driving certain distances. Have thought about going back on some sort of medication because I feel like the daily anxiety is just pulling me down. How is everyone else coping? Are you taking medication? I can't find doctors who will consult me on taking medication while pregnant. It's like they don't want to get involved but to me it's a a daily struggle to get thru my days.

I am taking Zoloft and so far, when I talked to my Doctors while I was TTC they did not seem to be concerned. I am currently 5 weeks and 3 days. I will be asking up at my first official obgyn appointment and at my next appointment with my prescriber just to double check. I honestly don't think I could be able to go off the meds. I suffer from depression and anxiety. The Zoloft has worked best for me.

I am taking Zoloft and so far, when I talked to my Doctors while I was TTC they did not seem to be concerned. I am currently 5 weeks and 3 days. I will be asking up at my first official obgyn appointment and at my next appointment with my prescriber just to double check. I honestly don't think I could be able to go off the meds. I suffer from depression and anxiety. The Zoloft has worked best for me.

I'm in the medical field and have seen tons of pregnant women on all types of psych medications- not just for anxiety, but for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. You are definitely not alone - if the ob/gyn you have now won't help you, find another doctor! Good luck :)

I'm in the medical field and have seen tons of pregnant women on all types of psych medications- not just for anxiety, but for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. You are definitely not alone - if the ob/gyn you have now won't help you, find another doctor! Good luck :)

I feel like I could have written this myself. I've dealt with major anxiety issues and attacks, i have GAD and my doctor told me I cant take my ativan now that I'm pregnant. It's been the most difficult 2 weeks and I don't know how im gonna deal with 9 months!!!

I feel like I could have written this myself. I've dealt with major anxiety issues and attacks, i have GAD and my doctor told me I cant take my ativan now that I'm pregnant. It's been the most difficult 2 weeks and I don't know how im gonna deal with 9 months!!!

I've heard of tons of woman that stay on their medication im just always scared of the "what if's". I took Zoloft for a short time. I've been on tons of different medications over those 17 years and I don't know if any of them completely helped. The best I saw was with Cymbalta but I also took Xanax daily for years. Omg the withdraw I experienced was horrible! This is such a hard decision and everyone says a personal choice but I just don't know :(

I've heard of tons of woman that stay on their medication im just always scared of the "what if's". I took Zoloft for a short time. I've been on tons of different medications over those 17 years and I don't know if any of them completely helped. The best I saw was with Cymbalta but I also took Xanax daily for years. Omg the withdraw I experienced was horrible! This is such a hard decision and everyone says a personal choice but I just don't know :(

i dont have anxiety or depression BUT i do know several ladies that have taken something their entire pregnancy, so there are medicines you can take while pregnant, but i agree if your ob wont help you then maybe finding an ob that will, because 40wks is a long time to live like this, GL

i dont have anxiety or depression BUT i do know several ladies that have taken something their entire pregnancy, so there are medicines you can take while pregnant, but i agree if your ob wont help you then maybe finding an ob that will, because 40wks is a long time to live like this, GL

I have delt with depression most of my life and with my first two pregnancies it was like a gift from God: something about pregnancy hormones leveled me out and I was fantastic for the entire 9 months. Two years ago I had my first panic attack and spiraled quickly into full blown panic disorder. It was utterly miserable. My doctor diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and put me on meds. I decided to wean off when DH and I decided we wanted to have one more child. I weaned slowly and so far I am doing okay, but I worry how my panic issues will fare for the next 9 months. My fear stems from the fear being physically ill and let's face it: I am going to feel strange for the next several months.
I guess all that to say: you are not alone. If you aren't already, you may also try a wholistic therapist or faith-based counselor. Talking out your concerns might take the edge off. Best wishes for your pregnancy!!

I have delt with depression most of my life and with my first two pregnancies it was like a gift from God: something about pregnancy hormones leveled me out and I was fantastic for the entire 9 months. Two years ago I had my first panic attack and spiraled quickly into full blown panic disorder. It was utterly miserable. My doctor diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and put me on meds. I decided to wean off when DH and I decided we wanted to have one more child. I weaned slowly and so far I am doing okay, but I worry how my panic issues will fare for the next 9 months. My fear stems from the fear being physically ill and let's face it: I am going to feel strange for the next several months.
I guess all that to say: you are not alone. If you aren't already, you may also try a wholistic therapist or faith-based counselor. Talking out your concerns might take the edge off. Best wishes for your pregnancy!!

I've had depression/anxiety for about 10 years, I am taking a small dose of efexor right now. My last pregnancy I tried to stop taking it and I turned into a super bi-otch, so for my sanity's and family's sake, I'm staying on it. Congrats on your BFP!!! I'm hoping for twins too!!!

I've had depression/anxiety for about 10 years, I am taking a small dose of efexor right now. My last pregnancy I tried to stop taking it and I turned into a super bi-otch, so for my sanity's and family's sake, I'm staying on it. Congrats on your BFP!!! I'm hoping for twins too!!!

I take zoloft, my ob is even fine with lexapro. There is no reason to suffer while preg. The only thing my psychiatrist said is that I need to go off the zoloft one month before the baby is born to avoid withdrawal effects. Switch to an ob who will support u :)

I take zoloft, my ob is even fine with lexapro. There is no reason to suffer while preg. The only thing my psychiatrist said is that I need to go off the zoloft one month before the baby is born to avoid withdrawal effects. Switch to an ob who will support u :)

I can totally relate. I too suffer from anxiety on a daily basis. I don't take medication because that is part of my anxiety. I don't like to take anything. I also suffer from agoraphobia to some degree. I go places, but never alone and never too far away. I have a 3 year old daughter and my anxiety was through the roof with that pregnancy. It did get better in the later months. For me it is a reaction from the hormones. My hormones and anxiety play a role together.

When I decided to try for baby #2 I thought my anxiety would be better because I have been through this before, but I am almost 6 weeks now and for the past 2 weeks my anxiety is through the roof again. It's a scary time to have to not only worry about yourself now but also a new baby growing inside you. I am just hoping that is gets better as time goes on as it did the first time.

Now, I also had a lot of anxiety going to Dr appointments. I don't like going but when you are pregnant and I am also high risk, I am there every 2 weeks. One thing I asked the last time was if I could wait in a back room instead of in the waiting room. I felt more comfortable in case I got sick or just the normal anxiety I experience. It worked out well for me and they understood and worked with me. I also never went alone to my appointments.

I plan on doing the same thing this time around. my anxiety seems to be worse the past few days. Even taking my daughter to pre-school causes my heart to race.

Just take it one day at a time. I don't know about the meds because it isn't something I take (I didn't even take meds during child birth). I don't plan on taking them this time around either.

I would love to stay in touch and see how you are doing and maybe we can help each other.

Jessica

I can totally relate. I too suffer from anxiety on a daily basis. I don't take medication because that is part of my anxiety. I don't like to take anything. I also suffer from agoraphobia to some degree. I go places, but never alone and never too far away. I have a 3 year old daughter and my anxiety was through the roof with that pregnancy. It did get better in the later months. For me it is a reaction from the hormones. My hormones and anxiety play a role together.

When I decided to try for baby #2 I thought my anxiety would be better because I have been through this before, but I am almost 6 weeks now and for the past 2 weeks my anxiety is through the roof again. It's a scary time to have to not only worry about yourself now but also a new baby growing inside you. I am just hoping that is gets better as time goes on as it did the first time.

Now, I also had a lot of anxiety going to Dr appointments. I don't like going but when you are pregnant and I am also high risk, I am there every 2 weeks. One thing I asked the last time was if I could wait in a back room instead of in the waiting room. I felt more comfortable in case I got sick or just the normal anxiety I experience. It worked out well for me and they understood and worked with me. I also never went alone to my appointments.

I plan on doing the same thing this time around. my anxiety seems to be worse the past few days. Even taking my daughter to pre-school causes my heart to race.

Just take it one day at a time. I don't know about the meds because it isn't something I take (I didn't even take meds during child birth). I don't plan on taking them this time around either.

I would love to stay in touch and see how you are doing and maybe we can help each other.

It's horrible how debilitating anxiety is ! I have my next appt Monday and although it's only 30 minutes away I'm anxious already. I don't know why I'm scared driving places either! I'm really afraid I won't make it to this appt ( and it's another blood test with the fertility dr to check my levels). I can barely leave the house the last few days and I have an 11 yr old that I feel like I'm robbing him of the good things in life. I know they say to do relaxation and breathing and etc but for some reason it's easier said then done in the moment.

It's horrible how debilitating anxiety is ! I have my next appt Monday and although it's only 30 minutes away I'm anxious already. I don't know why I'm scared driving places either! I'm really afraid I won't make it to this appt ( and it's another blood test with the fertility dr to check my levels). I can barely leave the house the last few days and I have an 11 yr old that I feel like I'm robbing him of the good things in life. I know they say to do relaxation and breathing and etc but for some reason it's easier said then done in the moment.

I took zoloft with my first pregnancy and all 3 of my sisters took zoloft with all their pregnancies. Â Im actually taking zoloft and welbutrin with this one (yup i'm crazy!) Â The zoloft is perfectly fine infact my SIL who is an OBÂ prescribedÂ me zoloft when I was pregnant. As for the welbutrin, I asked my doc before I started taking it if it was ok if we were to get pregnant and he went and checked right in front of me. Â He said its a Class C drug which means there is not enough research to say it is either bad or good to take during pregnancy.Â

I think there was another post like this. Â

I took zoloft with my first pregnancy and all 3 of my sisters took zoloft with all their pregnancies. Â Im actually taking zoloft and welbutrin with this one (yup i'm crazy!) Â The zoloft is perfectly fine infact my SIL who is an OBÂ prescribedÂ me zoloft when I was pregnant. As for the welbutrin, I asked my doc before I started taking it if it was ok if we were to get pregnant and he went and checked right in front of me. Â He said its a Class C drug which means there is not enough research to say it is either bad or good to take during pregnancy.Â

possibly if medication is not an option cognitive behavioral therapy may be the 2nd best option. CBT coupled with meds is empirically the best way to attack and treat anxiety and agoraphobia. so with an open mind and open heart CBT without meds couldn't hurt to try. I know that there is some major risks to the baby during pregnancy if psychotropic meds are used. usually psychiatrist will weigh the risks between the use of meds for the mom against the risks to the baby. hope this info helps. I am no doctor just a psychotherapist. best option is to have heart to heart discussion with your psychiatrist about this... all the best to you and your baby!!

possibly if medication is not an option cognitive behavioral therapy may be the 2nd best option. CBT coupled with meds is empirically the best way to attack and treat anxiety and agoraphobia. so with an open mind and open heart CBT without meds couldn't hurt to try. I know that there is some major risks to the baby during pregnancy if psychotropic meds are used. usually psychiatrist will weigh the risks between the use of meds for the mom against the risks to the baby. hope this info helps. I am no doctor just a psychotherapist. best option is to have heart to heart discussion with your psychiatrist about this... all the best to you and your baby!!

I actually see a phycologist every week. He would like to see me on a medication but also knows that all anxiety meds are class c. I know there is no proof of anything happening except in lab rats but I'm still unsure. I don't want to knowingly hurt my baby but also don't know if I'll make it thru the days and nights. I was on medication prior to TTC and it worked well. Wouldn't say that anything has really made me better over 17 years. It's always a struggle.

I actually see a phycologist every week. He would like to see me on a medication but also knows that all anxiety meds are class c. I know there is no proof of anything happening except in lab rats but I'm still unsure. I don't want to knowingly hurt my baby but also don't know if I'll make it thru the days and nights. I was on medication prior to TTC and it worked well. Wouldn't say that anything has really made me better over 17 years. It's always a struggle.

Check out www.womensmentalhealth.org they have all the mist up to date info on taking meds while pregnant. I saw a specialist at their clinic. I highly recommend them! One of the only places in the US that is specifically studying mental health in pregnant women.

Check out www.womensmentalhealth.org they have all the mist up to date info on taking meds while pregnant. I saw a specialist at their clinic. I highly recommend them! One of the only places in the US that is specifically studying mental health in pregnant women.

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